SiO2- and Al2O3-supported CO2C catalysts were prepared by carburizing supported Co precursors with CO. The catalysts were characterized by N-2 physisorption, X-ray diffraction and H-2 temperature-programmed reduction techniques, and evaluated by the Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) reaction. The results showed that SiO2- and Al2O3-supported Co2C catalysts could be successfully obtained but sufficient carburization time was required. All of the as-prepared supported Co2C catalysts exhibited activity and selectivity towards alcohols. It is considered that surface metallic Co species contributed to the activity, surface Co2C species were responsible for the formation of alcohols, and bulk CO2C species were inert during the F-T reaction. (C) 2015, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.